A circular anastomosis stapler (2) is provided and includes a handle assembly (6) having a firing trigger (16) that is actuatable between a first firing stroke and a second firing stroke. A shell assembly (4) includes a pusher assembly having a main pusher (28), a staple pusher (30) and a knife pusher (32). A compressible member (38) positioned between the main pusher and the knife pusher is movable between a first configuration for advancing the staple pusher through the first firing stroke to drive at least one staple from the shell assembly to staple tissue and a second configuration for advancing the knife pusher through the second firing stroke to drive a knife (33) from the shell assembly to core the stapled tissue.
